culmination

noun

ˌkəl-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce culmination (audio)
Definition of culminationnext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun culmination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of culmination are acme, apex, climax, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When would acme be a good substitute for culmination?

The synonyms acme and culmination are sometimes interchangeable, but acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Where would apex be a reasonable alternative to culmination?

The meanings of apex and culmination largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When is it sensible to use climax instead of culmination?

The words climax and culmination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When could peak be used to replace culmination?

The words peak and culmination can be used in similar contexts, but peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When might pinnacle be a better fit than culmination?

Although the words pinnacle and culmination have much in common, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When can summit be used instead of culmination?

While in some cases nearly identical to culmination, summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of culmination The title was the culmination of a long journey for Sneed, who was out last season with a meniscus injury. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026 The night celebrated the culmination of six years in NCL for the 25 Ticktockers who will all be graduating at the end of the school year. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Her rise is the culmination of a 42‑year career spent defying odds in a cockpit still dominated by men (women make up just 6% of pilots), and her story lands just as airlines face a massive pilot shortage and surging demand for new recruits. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026 The successful Draper engine demonstration is the culmination of a multi-year public-private partnership between the AFRL and Ursa Major. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for culmination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culmination
  1. pinnacle
  2. zenith
  3. top
  4. height
  5. peak
  6. climax
  7. apex
Noun
  • This year your creativity, zest and desire for life are at a pinnacle.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2026
  • It was transformed into a 125-unit luxury condo by 2002, the pinnacle of which is a quadplex with an 80-foot stainless-steel slide, a rock wall, and a rope swing.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • This cycle has reached its zenith in Netanyahu’s latest and greatest gamble.
    — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • This electrifying combo of documentary and concert film showcases the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his creative zenith during his 1970s Las Vegas residency and early '70s tours, and more importantly showcases Presley in all of his jumpsuited splendor, as both cultural icon and cool guy.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • And how about the 2006 final when Palo Alto stunned Mater Dei 51-47 in Division II in which Jeremy Lin made a 25-foot bank shot from the top of the key.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • His cold-blooded 3-pointer from well beyond the top of the key gave his team the lead in an 8-0 run.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • The hope for this team was that Peterson could carry KU’s offense to new heights, particularly in the postseason.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Wordless electronic lounge music pulses over the speakers, hanging well above the dining room from a triple-height ceiling.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
  • In 2025, Baltimore's cherry blossoms reached peak bloom between March 30 and April 2, though the period was cut short due to severe storms.
    — JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • Father Dickie, mother Imelda, kids Cass and PJ each get a chance at the novel’s helm, building to a climax that is tense and unforgettable.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This is the climax of the movie and the soundtrack.
    — Charlie Harding, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of climax
Noun
  • In New York City, the collapse hasn’t been so dire; production has reached roughly 50 percent of its mid-2000s apex, according to one analysis.
    — M. Nolan Gray, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Wallace's murder shocked viewers and served as the emotional apex of the show's first season, thanks to Jordan's moving performance.
    — Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

culminating
culmination
culminations
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Cite this Entry

“Culmination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culmination. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on culmination

Nglish: Translation of culmination for Spanish Speakers

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